The West Elk Challenge is a trail marathon during the peak of fall colors. Racers will start on the shores of Crawford Reservoir State Park and travel on gravel roads through the farms and ranches at the base of the iconic Needle Rock. Soon thereafter, the trail enters the Gunnison National Forest and begins climbing the singletrack through golden aspen stands on the slopes of Mt. Lamborn. After about 5 miles of climbing, runners top the 9,762 foot summit of Inter-Ocean Pass, and descend through spruce, aspen and oak, past Lone Cabin Reservoir to the town of Paonia and end along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. New in 2025 we will have a shorter option. The 30k race will start at the USFS boundary (around mile 8 for the full marathoners) and follow the same course from there-up and over Inter-Ocean Pass and down into the town of Paonia.

Run, walk, and hike your way through the fall foliage of the West Elk Mountains! This challenge is a fundraiser for the Nature Connection’s Scholarship Fund, whose mission is to break down barriers to get kids and families outside.